Your cat could be meowing excessively because they are hungry, afraid, sick, or when they need your attention and love. There are different meow sounds that cats make at certain times. If your cat is meowing non-stop, it can be very challenging for you to figure out the issue.
If their tummy hurts or they have arthritic joints, or they are injured, they vocalize. Cats with systemic medical problems like thyroid disease or kidney malfunction (often associated with high blood pressure) may howl, too. Any number of ailments can precipitate caterwauling.
When your female cat is in heat, you'll know it. She'll likely display a variety of common symptoms for days at a time, and up to two weeks; it's nature's way of alerting male cats to her fertile state. Signs include: Extremely loud and constant “yowling,” and other unusual vocalizations.
Playing with a cat in heat can distract it from such behaviors as scratching, yowling or wanting to go outside. Give your cat toys she can shred — the best are either filled with catnip or are puzzle feeders. These give your pet a better way to get out excess energy and can keep her calm for a while.
Each heat generally lasts several days with the average length being seven days, although it can range from 1 to 21 days. If the queen (an intact female cat) is not mated during estrus, she will go out of heat for a short period of time, usually about seven days, but it can range from 2 to 19 days.
Extra Petting and Brushings During Heat Cycle
For some cats, a little extra attention may help ease the stress of estrus. Give your feline friend some extra attention around the home when she's in heat, and you may find that it calms her down and keeps her stress levels manageable.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
Health reasons can also cause cats to meow excessively, especially overnight. Some of the more common reasons for this include hypertension, an overactive thyroid, and cognitive dysfunction. In some cases, it may also simply be true that we notice our cats' vocalizations more at night since the house is quiet.
Signs That a Cat is in Pain
Tail flicking. Won't eat or reduced appetite. Limping. Avoiding being handled, picked up or petted.
Cats do not experience cramps or other physical symptoms, despite their howling and need for attention during this time. Instead, a surge of hormones will make your cat extraordinarily eager to mate. She may rub against you, pace back and forth, and assume a mating position if you pet or stroke her.
How Often Do Cats Go Into Heat? Once estrous cycles begin, cats may go into heat as often as every 2-3 weeks. Cats are seasonally polyestrus (also spelled polyestrous), meaning they can have multiple cycles during their breeding season. Breeding season would normally be during warmer weather and longer daylight hours.
The hormonal cycle of free-roaming cats is triggered by sunlight—which explains why kitten season is typically May to June. You'll notice female cats beginning their cycles of heat in near February with the lengthening of days. They'll be less likely to go into heat when the days become shorter and darker in the fall.
If you don't get your female cat spayed, they're going to go into heat. And if you're experiencing a cat in heat for the first time, you're probably wondering: how long does a cat stay in heat? Typically, a cat will stay in heat for around 3 to 7 days, but this cycle can last as long as 20 days for certain cats.
In a sense, yes, cats do have menstrual periods. In felines it's called 'oestrus', but many people just refer to it as being 'in heat'. Only unspayed female cats go through these cycles but rather than shedding the old womb lining like humans do, they reabsorb it, so bleeding is a very rare side effect.
Because your cat is receptive to mating during estrus, she could easily wander off and get lost while in search of a mate. Help her feel more relaxed: While many cats wail during heat, there's no cause for worry. Your fur baby isn't in pain; she's calling out because she wants to attract a mate.
Another question lots of feline owners ask is “does a cat in heat feel pain?” Though cats may seem uncomfortable and irritated while they're in heat, it isn't usually painful; if you think your cat is in pain, it may be an idea to have them checked out by your vet.
It's normal for a cat to go into heat around two to four times per mating season, with peak activity taking place in the Northern Hemisphere from about February to October.
Frequent Meowing
Your cat can't tell you where it hurts but can communicate with you by vocalizing. If your pet meows more often than normal, pain may be the reason. Cats in pain may also hiss or growl, particularly if you happen to touch a painful area. Purring doesn't always mean that your cat is happy.
Growling, hissing or spitting indicates a cat who is annoyed, frightened, angry or aggressive. Leave this cat alone. A yowl or howl (they sound like loud, drawn-out meows) tells you your cat is in some kind of distress—stuck in a closet, looking for you or in pain.
You can use ice packs, a cold towel, or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel on your cat's injury for 10 – 20 minutes at a time. If your cat is suffering from chronic pain or a long-term injury, heat therapy will be more effective.
Resist the urge to shout at her or give her any form of attention, even angry attention. Instead, be patient and wait for a brief moment of silence. Immediately give her the attention she craves. If she starts to meow again, walk away, and only return to her when she's quiet.